Mediocrity and Indians

So we Indians did not qualify for the Super Eight stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup!

At the risk of committing sacrilege, we are a bunch of people who thrive on mediocrity. How else can we explain the fact that for a billion people, we do not excel in any thing? We do not have a single product for the size of our country – Look at South Korea – you have the LGs, Samsungs, Hyundais and even Finland has a Nokia! What product do we have – Nothing, nada, zilch!

The country has some great institutes, IITs, IIMs etc – Everyone who studies at these elite institutes are looking at options outside the country! Yes, in recent times, we have seen some people return, this is not happening because of the policies, but in spite of them!

We have sports facilities that are completely out of sync with the rest of the world! When I talk to friends about this dismal state of affairs – all everyone has to say is that we are not physically built for sports such as Football! This is but a bunch of horse manure! Look at Hockey – once upon a time we were the world champions but we have faltered in the last 20 years! The main problem is the fact that there is so much money in sports, despite what people say, is that politicians look at getting into the sports as administrators and eat the money! When politicians get into sports – what else do you expect?

Let me give you a simple example – In Bangalore, India’s Silicon Valley, there is a bridge being built in front of out offices – The bridge is built, however not tarred – The contractor says that the total cost of building it is 2.5 crores and he has got a payment of only 1.5 crores with the politicians eating the rest! The result – the bridge is half done with no hope of ever completing it!

We are a country where mediocrity is so acceptable that it has become a way of life! The only area where we have actually excelled is in the IT industry.

New Zealand Trashes Australia 3-0 in the Chappel-Hadlee Trophy

New Zealand has just walloped Australia 3-0, in the concluding game of the Chappel-Hadlee trophy today.

Needing to chase an unbelievable 347, contributed largely by a superb 181 by Mathew Hayden, they chased it down with 3 balls to spare with Nathan Bracken being the culprit - sending down two full toss balls to help the Black Caps finish the game and complete the white wash against the Aussies for the first time.

Australia have another injury worry - Mathew Hayden has a fracture in his big toe and will need to see doctors on when he can resume playing.

Well played New Zealand. You have now opened up the race to the World Cup.

Aussies in trouble?

Are the Aussies in trouble just before the World Cup?

Trouble could be too strong a word and its more like a spot of bother! Remember that Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist will definitely be back, Andrew Symonds will be back, but might not return in his full capacity and with regards to Brett Lee - there are no answers as yet!

Having said that, they had every other bowler who will be playing the World Cup appearing in the Chappel-Hadlee series and they looked ordinary! So is this the end of the Aussies' era of dominance in World cricket?

It will be naive to even think the thought given the fact that the Aussies always hit back strongly after losses and their trip to the carribean will, I suspect, be no different.

What this has however shown is that the Aussies can be beaten, which means that the World Cup, will not, hopefully, be a one horse race.

It remains to be seen if the other teams, have the will to fight and get their name on the ultimate trophy in One-Day Cricket.

Open Letter to Stephen Fleming (New Zealand Cricket Captain)

Dear Stephen,

Thank you for giving Australia a hiding today! A win by 10 wickets!!! Whatever happens during the remainder of the Chappel-Hadlee Trophy, it does not matter, although you have my complete support for the rest of the tournament and suspect about 1.5 billion other cricket fans all over the world!

With the World Cup looming in 4 weeks time, having the Aussies on the backfoot, at least gives the rest of the teams (yours and mine included) a great chance! At least it is not going to be one horse race (yes, i still hope!!).

For once someone, South Africa right now, can topple the Aussies from the number 1 ranking in any form of the game, provided you win the next two matches!

May God be with you!

All the very best!

While I know it sounds very defeatist, the Aussie dominance shows how far behind the rest of the teams are! Frankly, at this point in time, I don't care!

An honest Indian fan!